MARCUS AURELIUS

Marcus Aurelius, or Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, was born on the 26th April 121 AD. Marcus Aurelius’s aunt was married to the emperor, his grandmother was the heiress to a massive Roman fortune, and Marcus was related to a number of prominent Roman rulers. However, how Marcus actually became a successor to the throne is unknown. What is known is that when he was 17, Marcus was marked out as a future emperor, but it was not until he was 40 years old that Marcus Aurelius was actually crowned as emperor of Rome.When the time to succeed as emperor came, Marcus Aurelius wanted his brother, Lucius Verus, to be emperor too. This was the first time in Roman history that the empire had two joint leaders, who both had the same status and power. The brothers ruled together from 161 AD, until Verus died in 169. Despite the equal status it is thought that Marcus was the one who was in charge of setting the constitutional goals, and leading the military through wars.

Marcus Aurelius

Marcus was not considered to be a great statesman, and in fact, he is thought to be an overrated figure who ruled over the Roman Empire in a bewildered way. But, despite this, he can’t be faulted for his dedication to Rome, and is thought of by some as the emperor that ruled during the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. In addition, Marucs’ Stoic tome Meditations, which he wrote whilst out on campaigns between 170 AD and 180 AD, are still considered important literary pieces that describe how to find calmness during conflict by looking to nature for guidance.

Marcus Aurelius died on the 17th March in modern day Vienna. He was cremated almost immediately upon his death and his ashes were returned to Rome.